USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County Indiana : From its earliest settlement to the present time with biographical sketches and reference to biographies previously compiled, Volume II > Part 36
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It is a significant fact that, despite his early hardships and the
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slenderness of his resources when he set sail for America, Mr. McTaggert was able to build up a business, in various lines, that permitted him to be accounted a fairly wealthy man when he died. Every success he met with in his business career came as the direct result of his well placed efforts and the sturdy determination with which he went about every business project he took in hand. He was always a hard working man, and he had the advantage of knowing the value of a dollar to the last penny. His means, as they were acenmulated with the passing years, were carefully and wisely invested, and he died in comfortable, if not indeed, affluent cir- cumstances. After he had become established in business here, Mr. McTaggert saved money with which to bring his parents and others of the family from Ireland, and in February, 1851, he married Sarah Dona- hoe, a daughter of James and Rose Donahoe, of County Tyrone, Ireland. They became the parents of eight children, three of which number died in infancy. The remaining five were: Catharine A., the wife of James McGourty ; Sarah C., now Mrs. John McGreery; Rose; John Joseph, who died when twenty-eight years of age; Mary J., the wife of Richard McGreevy. The mother died on June 20, 1908. She, like her husband, was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church all her life.
Mr. McTaggert was a Democrat in his political convictions, and served in the city council with credit to himself and to the good of the city. in 1868 he was the nominee of his party for the office of county treasurer, but was defeated by Dr. Schultz by the narrow margin of 86 votes. Though not an office holder to any extent, he was a citizen of sterling worth, always interested in the good of the community, and bearing his full share of the civic burdens.
FINIS E. FOUTS. For the past eighteen years, Finis E. Fouts has been engaged in farming and stock raising operations on his present farm, a well cultivated tract located on the Kokomo road, in Deer Creek town- ship. During this period he has established a reputation for integrity and honorable dealing, and is now accounted a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Cass county that have been identified with the progress and development of this section of the State since an early epoch in Indiana's history. Mr. Fouts was born on his father's farm in Cass county, November 21, 1866, and is a son of Solomon and Margaret (Bridge) Fouts. His father, who, with Mr. Neff, shared the distinction of being the first two white children born in Montgomery county, Indiana, came to Cass county in 1834, and here spent the remain- der of his life, accumulating a handsome competency and attaining a high position in the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens.
Finis E. Fouts was given the advantages of a good education, first attending the old Runaway school in Deer Creek township, later going to the district schools in Carroll county, and finally, in 1894, entering Pur- due University, where he took a course in agriculture and mechanical engineering. In the meantime, he had spent his vacations in working upon the home farm, thus getting practical experience in the vocation which he intended to make his life work, and eventually, well equipped, embarked npon a career of his own. Mr. Fouts came to his present property in 1895, and here he has met with unqualified success. His land, brought to a high state of cultivation, yields him a golden tribnte in
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return for the labor and care he bestows upon it. All of the machinery and buildings on the place are of the most modern construction, and indicate the owner to be a most progressive and enterprising farmer; and such is the reputation he bears throughout the community. In addi- tion to general farming, he also carries on stock raising, and his business is so carefully and systematically managed that he has won a high degree of prosperity, and at the same time has gained and retained the respect and confidence of those with whom he has had business transactions. He takes a pardonable degree of pride in what he has accomplished, in that it has been won through his own unaided efforts.
On October 29, 1891, Mr. Fouts was married first to Miss Nellie M. Pottenger, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Sater) Pottenger, and to this union there were born five children, namely: Glenn P., Elda, Marvin, Rufus and Laura. His second marriage took place July 6, 1911, when he was married to Mrs. Louanna (Kitchell) Shanks, daughter of Daniel Kitchell and widow of the late Frank H. Shanks, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter: Margaret. By her first marriage, Mrs. Fouts had three children : Carol E., Ellen C. and Frank J. Mr. and Mrs. Fouts are members of the Presbyterian church, and have been liberal in their support of religious and charitable movements.
GEORGE DAVIS was among the earliest pioneers of Cass county. His parents were Virginians and were of Welsh ancestry. He married Kath- erine Miller and settled at Richmond, Indiana, at a time when the Indians were more numerous than the whites. He was a carpenter by trade, although he followed farming for the most part throughout his life. In the late fall of 1834, together with his family, he came to Cass county, a pair of cows hitched to his wagon being the means of transportation, the cows doing double duty in that they provided food for the children, as well as taking the place of horses or oxen. Upon their arrival at Eel river, they were compelled to have the cows shod in order that they might cross upon the ice. They located on one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 19, in Jefferson township, half of which was pre-empted from the government, and here they began clearing, grubbing and farm- ing. Mr. Davis also worked at his trade, and many of the log cabins and old fashioned log barns were designed and built by him.
Mr. Davis was a soldier of the war of 1812, and served in all of Gen- eral Harrison's campaigns. His father, Joseph Davis, assisted the Colonies in their struggle for independence and he was a participant in some of the great battles of the Revolutionary war. To George Davis and his wife six sons and three daughters were born, three of the sons serving in the war with Mexico. George Davis was in many ways a unique character. He abhorred the liquor traffic and many times had difficulty in getting his crops harvested because of his unwillingness to provide whiskey for the farm "hands." He was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Burnettsville, which he helped to organize, and of which he was an official for years. He died in 1840.
Richard Pedrick Davis was the youngest of the sons of George Davis. He was born at Richmond, Indiana, in 1828, came with his parents to Cass county when he was six years old and as a boy assisted with the work of the home farm. His chief characteristic was his untiring
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energy. He once worked for two weeks to get enough money to buy an axe. His opportunities for education was extremely limited, but being a keen observer and possessed of an unusual fund of good, practical sense, he was able in later years to supply in a measure the training which his early years lacked. Along in the early history of the Burnettsville Normal School he attended that institution for three years, after which he taught school for several terms. His remuneration at one school was $25 for a three months' term, and he was compelled to chop his own wood, act as janitor, and "board around" as well. He was one of the best men that ever lived in Cass county, and for forty years was an elder in the Christian church. He served four years as justice of the peace, was deeply religious, and an outspoken advocate of the cause of temperance, and was an ardent Democrat.
In partnership with his brother, David, Richard P. Davis operated the first threshing machine ever brought to Cass county.
To his marriage with Jane Hildebrand, which occurred in 1850, nine children were born, six of that number growing to maturity and being named as follows: Sarah Ellen, Lucy Ann, George B., Mary Jane, and Fred and Frank, twins. Mr. Davis died in April, 1906, and his widow survived him until May, 1911.
The eldest son of Richard P. Davis is George B., born July 14, 1857. He completed his schooling in Burnettsville Academy, and since 1875 he has been a teacher in the public schools. For the past ten years he has been principal of the Franklin school, in Logansport. He married Minnie Cullen in 1881, and Fannie, John C., Mary E. and Dr. Charles S. are their children. Mr. Davis is present chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee.
Frank Davis, present commissioner of Cass county, was born on March 6, 1864, and is the twin brother of Fred Davis, the youngest chil- dren of Richard P. Davis. At the age of nineteen years he and Fred started farming on shares, continuing to be thus occupied for six years, after which Frank Davis bought out his brother's interest and continued alone. In 1892 he bought sixty acres of land, later adding forty-eight acres thereto, and in addition, he and Fred, by purchase, now hold the old homestead place in partnership. In 1908 he was elected county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, re-elected in 1910, and in Feb- ruary, 1911, moved to Logansport, where he now resides. On January 9, 1889, he married Emma Byers, and they have two children : Jessie M. and Jefferson Grover Cleveland. The latter married Mamie Strosser, and they have one daughter, Maxine. They live on the old place, thus making the fifth generation to have resided on this homestead.
Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and Odd Fellow, and an exceptionally able county official.
GEORGE I. WOLF. This prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Deer Creek township may be counted among the pioneers of Cass county, since he has faithfully done his share in the development of his section of the state, both materially and intellectually. Such men constitute the mainstay of a commonwealth, and it becomes the duty of the biographer to encourage the formation of a character that builds up .
the best interests of the state. Mr. Wolf is a self-made man, having
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gained his present position through individual industry, and the salient features of his career go to show that he has ever displayed an enterpris- ing, energetic nature, even from boyhood. Born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1834, he is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Hiser) Wolf. His father, a native of Frederick county, Maryland, migrated to Preble county, Ohio, in young manhood, and after some years there, came to Carroll county, Indiana, in 1836. There he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, dying advanced in years, with the full respect and esteem of his fellowmen and having accumulated a com- fortable competency.
George I. Wolf spent his boyhood days in Carroll county, where he secured his education in the district schools, in the meantime gaining a thorough knowledge of farming by assisting his father in the work of the homestead place. He early learned the dignity and value of labor, being taught to be industrious and honest, and his success in after life was due in large part to the benefits accruing from this early training. He continued to remain under the parental roof until he had reached his majority, at which time he started upon a career of his own, first on rented property and later on a farm for which he went into debt. He subsequently cleared off his indebtedness, sold his land and came to Cass county, where he purchased the farm on which he is now carrying on operations, a tract of eighty-three acres, located in Deer Creek town- ship, not far from Young America. His modern home is located on Galveston Rural Free Delivery Route No. 13, and he also has commodi- ous barns and appropriate outbuildings, of handsome architecture and substantial character. His land has all been brought to a high state of cultivation, and yields abundant harvests, while his ventures in stock raising have met with an equal measure of success.
In 1859 Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Margaret Tolen, who also survives, and they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1909, at which were present their children and grandchildren, as well as many of their friends, who recalled pioneer days in Cass county and wished the aged couple many more years of happy life. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have been the parents of seven children: Mary, who became the wife of W. L. Burrows; Sarah, who married Wm. Henry; Eva, who became the wife of Abraham Smith; Ladosky, wife of Mr. Michael; Anna, wife of David McClusky ; Carrie, at home, and Charles. Charles, who is married, resides on the old homestead, and is his father's manager, having gradually taken over the elder man's duties. He is maintaining the family reputation for integrity and industry, and is known as one of his section's good practical farmers. The family is connected with the German Baptist church.
DR. C. L. THOMAS. Thirty years of devotion to his profession is the record of C. L. Thomas, M. D., a veteran physician of Washington township-thirty years of his life given to the calling which he chose as his life work in young manhood; a third of a century of time spent in the alleviation of the ills of mankind. Such is indeed a faithful service, a record of which no man might be ashamed. Always giving of his best energies, always faithful to his trust, never sparing himself in the accomplishment of his tasks, his life has surely been a useful one,
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and he may now look back over the years that have passed with a sense of duty well done and take a pardonable pride in a work that has served to assist humanity, as well as to add to the professional prestige of his adopted community. Dr. Thomas was born October 25, 1846, in Car- roll county, Indiana, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Johnson) Thomas. His father, a native of Virginia, accompanied his parents to Indiana in boyhood, and the remainder of his life was given to farming and the millwright business, dying in advanced age, with the entire respect and esteem of the people of his community. He and his wife were the parents of eight children.
Dr. C. L. Thomas prosecuted his preliminary studies in the country schools near Asbury church, and was reared to the occupation of farm- ing. The young man, however, had decided upon a professional career, and accordingly took the examination and certified as a teacher in the public schools. At this time, however, the Civil war came on, and young Thomas, fired with patriotism, joined a regiment of Indiana volunteers, and fought bravely in defense of the country's flag. On the completion of his military career, he resumed teaching in the dis- trict schools and was so engaged until he entered upon his medical studies. He spent some time in preparation at Battle Ground, Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, and in 1879 received his degree of Doctor of Medicine at Indianapolis, subsequently spending some time in practice at Burlington, Carroll county, and eventually coming to Logansport. Here he has continued to the present time, in the enjoyment of a large and representative practice, which is not confined to his immediate community, but is drawn from all over this part of the county. A deep thinker and consistent student, he has ever devoted himself to research and study, and has taken a special course in Bellevue Hos- pital, New York City. His sympathetic nature and kind and gentle personality have assisted him greatly in his work, and have made the aged physician one of the most beloved of his profession in Cass county. He has taken a keen interest in the work of the various medical organiza- tions, and at this time is president of the Cass County Medical Society, in addition to acting as a member of the pension board. The Doctor specializes on medical and surgical diseases and treatment of the eye and his practice is not confined to Cass county but to all the adjoining country.
Dr. Thomas was married in 1876, to Miss Mary E. Cheney, of Clin- ton county, Indiana, and they have had one son: Willard, who mar- ried Miss Jessie Wilson, and has two children: Marie and Charles. The family is highly esteemed in this vicinity and its members number many warm friends in Logansport, near which city their home is situated.
FRED G. DROMPP is a native son of Logansport, Indiana, born in the city on December 28, 1869, and is the son of Gottleib F. and Sophia (Arnold) Drompp, both natives of Wittenberg, Germany.
Gottlieb Drompp was reared and educated in his native land, and there he married. He came to America in young manhood, and after a year spent in Chicago, came to Logansport, the time of his arrival here being in the '50's. Here he learned the cooper's trade, Vol. II-18
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a business which claimed his attention through the remainder of his life. He was a member of the German Lutheran church and reared his family in that faith. He died on December 29, 1891, his widow surviving him until February 22, 1894. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are yet living.
Fred G. Drompp has always made his home in Logansport. He was educated in the German Lutheran parochial school, and when he was fourteen he became a bundle boy in the old Keller-Troutman & Company dry goods store. He remained with this firm until it ceased to exist, working his way up from bundle boy to a clerkship. He was later employed in the store of George W. Seybold & Brother until July 12, 1900, when he, associated with Henry Kammerer and Ferdinand Graas, under the firm name of the Stewart Dry Goods Com- pany, embarked in the dry goods business in Logansport. Their begin- ning was a humble one, and they occupied a room at No. 315 Fourth strect. The firm was duly incorporated, with a capital stock of $15,000, Mr. Drompp being president, Mr. Graas, secretary, and Mr. Kammerer, treasurer. This firm has ever since continued without change in its per- sonnel, and the business has prospered with the passing years. In 1903 an additional room was requisitioned for the growing demands of their patronage, and the firm employs about twenty-four people, aside from the members of the firm. They carry a complete stock of dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear goods, carpets, rugs, curtains and linoleums-and is one of the leading houses in its line in the city. Mr. Drompp is also a director of the City National Bank.
Mr. Drompp is a Democrat, but not an active politican. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and is treasurer and trustee of that body.
On June 18, 1895, Mr. Drompp was married to Miss Lena E. Gralis of Union City, Indiana, and they have two children: Esther A., attend- ing high school, and Frederick G., who attends the German Lutheran parochial school.
LEROY F. BIRD. Many of the leading agriculturists of Cass county are carrying on operations on farms upon which they were born and where they have spent their entire lives, and this may be given as one of the reasons for their success. Having passed their entire careers here, they are thoroughly conversant with climatic conditions and the needs of the soil, and as a result they can bring to their work an intelligent knowledge of what methods will bring the best results. In this class stands LeRoy F. Bird, the owner of 170 acres of fine land sit- uated in Deer Creek township, section 5, an enterprising agriculturist and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Bird belongs to that class of men who have not been content with what has been accomplished by their fathers, but have continued to improve their properties and to contribute to the general prosperity of the community. He was born on his present farm, December 13, 1857, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Harriet (Small) Bird. His father, a native of Decatur county, Indiana, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits early in life, and continued to be so engaged throughout a long and useful career. He was known as a practical farmer and shrewd business man, and won the respect and
,
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esteem of his fellow-townsmen by his integrity and honorable dealing. Benjamin F. and Harriet Bird were the parents of three children, namely : William, deceased, formerly a farmer of Cass county, who married Estella Rhinehart, and had seven children, Adelbert, Hattie, Benjamin, Otis, Eva, Charles and Ruby; A. F., who makes his home in Walton; and LeRoy F.
LeRoy F. Bird secured his early educational training in the old Deacon district school in this township, after leaving which he attended the Walton public schools for some time. In the meanwhile he spent the summer seasons on the homestead, assisting his father in his work, and learning to cultivate the soil and raise stock. Ambitious and enter- prising, he applied himself assiduously to his tasks, gaining a thorough knowledge of his chosen vocation and carefully saving his earnings. He has never left the old homestead, and still carries on operations there, having met with a full measure of success. His crops are large and find a ready market, and he is known as a good judge of cattle, his herds being sleek and well fed.
Mr. Bird has never married. He is a popular member of the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and was reared in the faith of the Universalist church, of which his parents were life-long members. Public life has never at- tracted him, and the only interest he has taken in political matters is that of any good citizen who has the welfare of his community at heart. His many friends testify to his general worth as a neighbor and a man.
WILLIAM R. DEACON. Although now living retired from active pursuits, the greater part of his time being devoted to looking after his farm, William R. Deacon still takes a keen and intelligent interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of Cass county, where he has resided for nearly half a century. A veteran of the Civil war, when he had completed his service to his country, he returned to his Indiana home, and here for a long period was connected with the painting and decorat- ing business. A brief sketch of his career will show that he has ever lived an industrious and energetic life. Mr. Deacon was born April 4, 1841, in Liberty, Union county, Indiana, and is a son of W. C. and Sarah (Dawson) Deacon. His father, a native of Lexington, Virginia, was about thirty years of age when he walked to Liberty, Indiana, and there he followed the trade of painter, which he had learned in his native state, continuing in Liberty from 1832 to 1864, in which year he came to Deer Creek township, Cass county. He continued to spend the remainder of his life in this section and died with a comfort- able competence and with the esteem and respect of those who knew him. He and his wife became the parents of six children; namely : William B .; George; Mary E .; Martin, and Lucy A., who are deceased ; Alice J. and Annie.
William R. Deacon was educated in the schools of Liberty, Indiana, ยท and as a youth was engaged in assisting his father, thus learning the trade of painter and decorator. He was so engaged at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he went to Richmond, Indiana, and enlisted in the First Battalion, Fifteenth United States Infantry, under General Buell. On the completion of a brave and gallant service, he came to Cass
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county and joined his parents, and here for a time was employed in a sawmill in Deer Creek township. Succeeding this he began to work at the trade of decorator, and was so engaged during the remainder of his period of activity. An excellent workman, thoroughly reliable in his transactions, he soon secured a large business, and built up a reputation for responsibility and honesty.
On May 11, 1865, Mr. Deacon was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Zeek, the estimable daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Robin- son) Zeek, and to this union there have been born five children : Albertus and Lucy, who are both deceased; Minnie, at home; Edna, who is the wife of John Jackson; and George Franklin, who married Minnie Sprinkle, and has one child, Geraldine. With his family, Mr. Deacon attends the Methodist church. His daughter, Miss Minnie Deacon, belongs to the Rebekahs. Mr. Deacon has formed a wide acquaintance during his long residence in Cass county, and in it he numbers many warm friends, drawn about him by his many excellencies of mind and heart.
LORA WILSON. An example of well directed industry conducing to success is found in the career of Lora Wilson, of Deer Creek township, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist who has won financial independence and a position of prestige through the medium of his own efforts. Some twenty years ago he began his farming operations as a renter of land, and his progress has been steady and continuous, until today he is the owner of a well-cultivated tract of eighty acres, and is classed among his township's successful farmers and stock raisers. Mr. Wilson was born on the old Wilson farm in Deer Creek township, Cass county, Indiana, March 28, 1874, and is a son of George Washington and Catherine (Beamer) Wilson.
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